Saturday, May 02, 2009
It Continues...
As much as this year's NHL playoffs have provided some great moments and exciting series, there is still an alarming trend of nasty hits that, depending on the player, importance of the game, the severity of the injury and the cup of coffee NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell had in the morning, they may or may not get a suspension.
Donald Brashear blind-sided NY Ranger Blair Betts and got a five game suspension for it (plus an extra game for some pre-game shenanigans). I thought the idea was to send a message to the players that head hunting and dirty hits were going to be taken seriously and suspensions are forthcoming if you don't play by the rules.
So a little while later, Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks comes charging toward Jonathan Cheechoo with his elbow out like he's holding a shield and drills him in the head. There is no question Cheechoo was hurt: His posture showed he was in a daze. I don't think Perry even got a penalty on the play.
The other night Jiri Hudler of the Red Wings was making a pass when Mike Brown came out of nowhere and leveled him in the head. It was late, he made him bleed...Campbell didn't think it warranted anything.
Maybe if his orbital bone was broken like Blair Betts' the story would be different.
The hockey media, a majority of which are pro-fighting and love the "old-school" mentality, aren't too quick to criticize the hits. In actual fact, most feel that the NHL looking at the idea of eliminating head shots would take the a "physicality" of the game. They're reasoning seems to be if a player isn't free to hand someone else a concussion during a game, hockey becomes unwatchable.
All I know is this: I'm not a fan of stretchers. I'm not a fan of head hunting. I'm not a fan of no-talent bums getting a salary so they can "finish their checks." I'm not a fan of skilled players who don't need to resort to those dirty tactics to play the game but decide it's time to injure someone.
I just think that if the rules are broken, justice should quickly follow. But it appears it's not going to happen with any consistently in the NHL.
Donald Brashear blind-sided NY Ranger Blair Betts and got a five game suspension for it (plus an extra game for some pre-game shenanigans). I thought the idea was to send a message to the players that head hunting and dirty hits were going to be taken seriously and suspensions are forthcoming if you don't play by the rules.
So a little while later, Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks comes charging toward Jonathan Cheechoo with his elbow out like he's holding a shield and drills him in the head. There is no question Cheechoo was hurt: His posture showed he was in a daze. I don't think Perry even got a penalty on the play.
The other night Jiri Hudler of the Red Wings was making a pass when Mike Brown came out of nowhere and leveled him in the head. It was late, he made him bleed...Campbell didn't think it warranted anything.
Maybe if his orbital bone was broken like Blair Betts' the story would be different.
The hockey media, a majority of which are pro-fighting and love the "old-school" mentality, aren't too quick to criticize the hits. In actual fact, most feel that the NHL looking at the idea of eliminating head shots would take the a "physicality" of the game. They're reasoning seems to be if a player isn't free to hand someone else a concussion during a game, hockey becomes unwatchable.
All I know is this: I'm not a fan of stretchers. I'm not a fan of head hunting. I'm not a fan of no-talent bums getting a salary so they can "finish their checks." I'm not a fan of skilled players who don't need to resort to those dirty tactics to play the game but decide it's time to injure someone.
I just think that if the rules are broken, justice should quickly follow. But it appears it's not going to happen with any consistently in the NHL.
# posted by SBP : 10:51 PM
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